ST. ALBANS, W.Va. (WOWK) — Tuesday, members of the St. Albans community proved that coming out to local meetings can make an impact.

The City of St. Albans was looking to propose a change for those with boats, RVs or side-by-sides, requiring them to be at least 15 feet away from the road.

For some, this change would be impossible.

“I have a driveway that’s a lot longer than my camper. But I can’t meet the 15-foot requirement,” said one member of the community. “By the time you set back 15 feet, my camper will be in my living room.”

In some cases, to meet the requirement, people would either have to pay to store the vehicle or sell it.

“We don’t want to put undue hardships or things that people can’t meet these things, but we’re asking them to give up a part of their life,” said one person.

Others called it overreach.

“I didn’t agree to an HOA. I purposely moved to St Albans to avoid an HOA,” one man said. “So for you to restrict this and to put more restrictions on something that’s already in place is ridiculous.”

Ultimately, the zoning and planning committee agreed, recommending that the city council reject the proposed ordinance, saying it is too restrictive.

Kevin Pennington, a member of the zoning and planning committee, says this is how these meetings should always go.

“I loved it. I mean, that’s how this is supposed to work. People are supposed to come out. We come into the meeting with an open mind. We listen to what everybody has to say to us,” said Pennington. “And you know, that’s the way you’re supposed to do a committee. You know, listen to what the people have to say.”